Are working moms stretched too thin?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Are working moms stretched too thin?
1078
Tue, 06-13-2006 - 2:45pm

Do you think a mom who works full-time and has kids is stretched too thin?

I was working full-time up till November of 2005. Then I decided that it was all too much. I was exhausted and found that when I did get to spend time with my little guy (he is now 2 1/2) I was very impatient with him because I was soo tired. Also the stress of work often overflowed into my personal life (both with ds and dh).

Now that I have been home for over 6 months, I am finally starting to be more patient and am enjoying my son instead of rushing him along. If he want to take 20 minutes to get into the car - ok, no problem.

So - do you think that trying to juggle work, kids, marriage and all the stresses that come with those things is too much? (I did)

Maybe when my son is older - then I will go back to work and it might be easier because he will be more self-sufficient? Who knows? All I know is that for now, I am enjoying being a SAHM and am glad for the time I get to devote to my son and the lower stress levels (that I believe were very unhealthy for me).

josee

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Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 10:48am

Our grocery store has a cooler in front where they keep ice, etc.

Yes, it might be easier to put the child into his car seat.

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 10:49am
I would never taunt or tease my child or anybody else's.
Avatar for myshkamouse
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 10:59am

And when my son is older I sure hope he doesn't take 20 minutes to get in the car! LOL"

My twins, who will be three next month, take a while to get in the car.
On our most disorganized, chaotic mornings, it takes 30 -45 ms from when we get them out of their bedroom till we leave the house to take them to their preschool (8.30-11 4 days a week). We know it takes that long so we plan accordingly.
Even working the long hours I do, I can take them to school and pick them up, a few days a week. I couldnt, however, unless I planned things out.
We wouldnt get *anywhere* on time if we didnt plan. So not sure how working, or not working, has anything to do with the extra time needed to get a child organized.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2005
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 11:42am

You just reminded me of two things I miss desperately about the US: bags of ice that can be bought at the store and people who pack your groceries.

I wanted to make margaritas for a large group of people once and had to collect cubes of ice for a week before the event in order to have enough (no icemaker on the fridge either).

SIGH!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 12:19pm

I agree.

Even though I only have one child, I can see a difference btw/ him and other children in our playgroup. I think its a combination of the child and maybe a bit of parenting style thrown into to it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 12:21pm
He goes to bed between 7:30 and 8:30pm.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 12:31pm

OK. I get you.

All I am trying to say is - you can't plan everything. I did plan when I was working. (which is also another reason I prefer being home, less planning and more spontaneous). I would get him up at 5:30am, do breakfast, dress ect. and on most days it all worked out. The majority of the time he would be in the car and we would be off no problem. But, being a kid, he occasionally had days where things didn't go as planned. Those days I did have to rush him along. All I am saying is that now that I am at home, we have more time (but of course there are still some days where we have to be somewhere, but not as often) - so I can be more flexible and if one day he wants to take 20 minutes...well ok. I don't have to be at work by 7am or 7:30am.

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 12:34pm

My sil hosts a foreign exchange student every year, and they always marvel at the lazy Americans who can't even pack their own groceries....

But now you have me wondering why they don't sell ice in Sweden?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2006
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 1:04pm
so if my child say goes to six flag and they have a friend who really wanted to go, had planned to go, normally got to go, but for whatever reason wasnt allowed to this time, it would be okay for my child to come back telling them all about what a great time they had. if that is not okay can you explain the difference. and if it is okay at what point do we teach our kids about empathy for others - isnt that as important as responsibility.
Jennie
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2005
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 1:13pm
I have no clue. I've never found any place in Switzerland, Austria or Germany that sold ice. When I've asked people about this, they've looked at me like I just grew two heads. Apparently, people here can't even conceive of a single reason why anyone would want to buy ice by the bag.

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